Reel adjusting device



Sept. 21, 1954 s. c. HETH 2,689,442

REEL ADJUSTING DEVICE Filed April 14, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 21, 1954 s. c. HETH REEL ADJUSTING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 14, 1951 w m m Sept. 21, 1954 5 Q HETH REEL ADJUSTING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 14, 1951 3nventor Sept. 21, 1954 5, c, HETH 2,689,442

REEL ADJUSTING DEVICE Filed April 14, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Zmnentor Patented Sept. 21, 1954 2,689,442 REEL ADJUSTING DEVICE Sherman C. Heth, Racine, Wis., assignor to J. I. Case Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application April 14, 1951, Serial No. 221,036

4 Claims.

This invention relates to harvesting machines and especially to the reel height-adjusting means on windrowers and other implements employing reels. In this instance the invention is shown in conjunction with a windrower.

The purpose of the reel on a windrower, or similar implement is to urge the standing grain rearwardly against the sickle and onto the platform from which it is conveyed to the ground as when windrowing, or to a threshing cylinder as when combining or threshing.

. Owing to variations in the height of grain being harvested and for various other reasons it is often desirable to adjust the height of the reel with respect to the platform and also with respect to the ground. This adjustment is made frequently and therefore the means of adjustment should be conveniently reached by the operator. In the case of a tractor-drawn windrower the adjusting means should be within easy reach of the tractor seat, and be operable with a minimum of effort on the part of the tractor operator.

It is an object of this invention to provide a reel-height adjustment that is convenient to the tractor operator and easily adjusted.

Another object is to provide a reel-height adjustment which retains the adjustment although the implement travels over rough ground at which time the reel is subjected to considerable vibration.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reel-height adjustment which allows adjustments to be made in smaller increments than those made by means of a post having spaced notches for the reception of a detent or pin.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a front perspective view at the left side of a windrower embracing the invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view at the left side of the windrower;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a fragmentary portion at the left end of the windrower showing a specific portion of the invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken at 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view at 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional fragmentary view of the left pivot means for the reel;

Fig. '7 is a rear elevation of a portion of the machine taken at 1-! of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the right hand end of the windrower;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of the construction at the right hand end of the reel support means;

Fig. 10 is a detail of certain mechanism indicated in Fig. 8 and shows the means of mounting the reel bearing block and Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevation which shows a modification of the construction shown in Fig. 3.

The general view shown in Fig. 1 shows a windrower l0, provided with a reel H, a drawbar l2 and transport wheelsl3 and i4. Drawbar I2 is attached to a tractor [5, Fig. 2, so that the windrower [0 can be transported over the ground.

Windrower I8 is described in greater detail in the patent to Kranick et al. 2,395,672 on which this invention is an improvement.

The frame 16 comprises a transverse tubular member H to which the various braces and depending members are secured, as by welding [8, shown in Figs. 2 and 6, and also by riveting or bolting; whichever mode is most suitable. Frame !6 carries a sickle bar l9 and an apron 22 which form part of the conventional windrower, and need not be further described.

Frame I6 has depending therefrom members 22 to 21 inclusive which serve to support the tubular member I! relative to the draw bar [2. Pivots are provided, one of which is shown as at 28, to enable the sickle I9 to be adjusted to the desired height relative to the ground, and the drawbar l2. An adjusting lever 30 is secured integrally with frame l6, and a rack bar 32 is pivoted to the drawbar l2 and is engaged by a detent secured to the adjusting lever 30. Thus sickle bar [9 can be secured at the desired relative height.

In order to obtain a greater range of adjustment for height, wheels l3 and I4 are mounted upon vertically adjustable supports. Referring to Fig. 1, 34 is a sleeve which provides a bearing for the tubular member [1, the latter being retainea-in axial relation to the sleeve 34 by a bolt 36 in a slot 38 of sleeve 34. Depending from sleeve 34 is a support 40 comprising a plate 42 secured to sleeve 34 preferably by welding, and a channel member 44 secured to plate 42 by welding. A second channel member 46 fits within channel 44. Channel members 44 and 46 are provided with mutually selectively registrable holes. Bolts such as at 50 secure channel members 44 and 4% in the desired relationship. A similar means of height adjustment is provided for wheel I3 and which is not shown in detail. A pair of channel members 52 and 54 are pivoted at a point forward of the axis of wheel Id and on each side of the latter. A tubular member 56 separates members 52 and 55 being secured thereto by welding in this instance. Another tubular member 58 is secured to the underside of drawbar I2 as shown in Fig. 1, being or a snug fit within tubular member 56 and provides a pivot for the latter. A brace 60 is secured to the member 58 and the drawbar I2 to aid in resisting twisting forces which tend to swing the right wheel I3 rearwardly when the implement is being transported over the field. As support Mi is integral with sleeve member 34 the tubular member I1 is journaled in the latter and will not be affected by an adjustment of the frame it by lever 30.

The reel II is of the conventional type having a shaft 52 carrying spiders 64, 65, and 66. In this instance the reel I I carries six bats 53 which are secured to the spiders as shown in Figs. 1, and 8.

The reel height-adjusting and support means will next be described. A tubular shaft 10, Figs. 2 and 3, comprises the means of support for the reel H. A series of support plates I2. I4, and it are secured to the positions shown on tubular member I! by welding or other suitable means of fastening. Plates I2, 14, and I6 provide the support for bearing plates 18, 80, and 82. Bearing sleeves 34, 86, and 88 support tubular shaft is and are welded in this instance to plates I8 and 89 and 82 respectively.

Reel Ii is supported by arms 99 and 92, Figs. 3, 6, and 8, which are positioned one at each end of the reel. Arm 90 supports the left-hand end of the reel and is of angle iron as shown in Figs. 2 and 8. Arm 90 is of a length sufficient to extend forwardly beyond the shaft ID. A plate 94 having a hole to accommodate the shaft ill is placed upon shaft I and welded as at 96 or otherwise secured thereto in the position shown in Fig. 6. Plate 94 is of a horizontal length so as to provide sufficient support for the arm 9&3. Arm 9t and plate 94 have a plurality Of aligned holes into which bolts 98 are inserted thus making arm 90 an integral unit with shaft Ill, and rotatable therewith.

Shaft is of a length such that the ends thereof protrude beyond the bearing sleeves 8d and 83 for reasons which will appear as the description proceeds.

Arm 92 is mounted on shaft ID in a manner similar to that employed with respect to arm 90. A plate IllD, Fig. 9, provided with a hole into which shaft I0 is inserted is welded or similarly secured to the shaft I0. Arm 92 is provided with holes which coincide with holes provided in plate I00. Bolts I02 serve to secure plate I00 and arm 92 together integrally for actuation with shaft I0. Thus it will be clear that rotation of shaft Ill will result in corresponding rotation of the arms 90 and 92. Stop collars I04 and IE6, see also Fig. 2, are welded to shaft 10 and in substantial contact with sleeves 84 and 88 respectively. The purpose of collars I94 and I 05 is to limit the axial displacement of shaft III by contact with the ends of sleeves 84 and 88.

Reel II is mounted between arms 90 and 92 as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 8, and 10. In this instance shaft 62 is journaled in Wood bearing blocks Hi8 and H0. Bearing block IE3 is positioned upon the upper surface of arm 99 and secured thereto in fore-and-aft adjustable relation by two bolts H2. A slot lid is provided in arm Qt as shown in Fig. 10 of a length suflicient to allow the desired fore-and-aft adjustments of the reel. After a fore-and-aft adjustment has been made it is important to secure it from displacement owing to vibration and impact with the grain being harvested. The above mentioned displacement is avoided by providing an angle member l I6 which has holes located so as to receive bolts IE2. Bolts II2 pass through bearing block it, slot [i4 and angle member H6. Nuts on the bolts II2 clamp the above-mentioned parts integrally. A series of holes 5 i8 are provided in the web of arm and a hole is provided in angle member H6. When making the adjustment in a fore-and-aft direction, angle member H6 is positioned so that a hole H8 and the hole in angle member I I8 align. A bolt 26 serves to hold the arm 99 and, angle member M6 against foreand-aft displacement. When bolt 29 and bolts I I2 have been tightened there is no likelihood of displacement. An arrangement similar to the above is employed at the other end of the reel and will therefore not be described. Shaft 52 protrudes from the left-hand end of reel H and terminates in a sprocket I22. The reel ii is driven in this instance by the wheel it on which a sprocket is mounted, the latter being part of a chain and sprocket drive means which is fully shown and described in patent to Kranick et a1. 2,395,872 and need not be further described.

Fig. 6 shows a section of a portion of frame I6 and especially the details relating to the construction of the left-hand reel arm 9% and the means of counterbalancing the reel. A frame member I24 is secured to frame iii and extends rearwardly a sufiicient distance to accommodate the balancing means We which will now be described.

The rearwardly-extending portion of arm 953 has a hole which receives a pin ifs, Fig. 6, which extends on either side of the member as as shown in Fig. '7. Pin I28 is provided with annular grooves I29 and I3l near each end spaced from the member 96, as shown in Fig. 7 A hole is also provided at each end and cotter pins 53d and Hi2 are inserted, the purpose of which will be made clear. An adjusting member lad is inserted in a hole in the member I24 and has a handle 536 to enable adjustments be easily made. The upper end of member I34 is threaded for a suitable distance as indicated at i33, the amount of threading being sufficient to embrace the full range of adjustment desired.

A spring anchor stud i 56 positioned below pin I28 a suitable d stance and is provided with a threaded hole into which adjusting 53 is inserted for relative threaded adjustment. Stud I49 has ends M2 i is of a reduced diameter as shown in Fig. 7 provided with annular ref in rooves M5 and M8 near the extremities of the ends i l? and iii. A of tension springs i523 having conventional hook ends are extended respectively between annular grooves and i-C-, and between grooves :Si and M23.

The tension applied to springs E52 should be sufficient to cancel or balance a portion of the weight of the reel to enable the operator to more easily adjust the reel height. It is clear that the handle I36. I V i A balancing means-is also provided for. the right-hand end of the reel .to supplement that just described. Arm 92-extends rearwardly, as shown in Figs. 2, 8; and 9.

Angle member I53 of frame I6 has afiixed at the lower part thereof and below the end of arm 92, a springbracket I541in the formof'an angle iron and which is provided witha hole to accommodate the balancin -spring :rneans'as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. This means comprises a spring I56 connected to arm 92 by :means of a hook portion which isinsertedina'hole I51 in arm 92. An eye bolt I58 is attached to the 'lower end of spring I56 and the shankflthereof is inserted in the above-mentioned hole in bracket I54. Eye bolt I58 is provided with, a threaded portion which extends beyond both sides of bracket I54 to provide means for adjusting the tension of spring I56. A nut I 60 ispla-ced on bolt I58 on the underside of bracket I54 andis em-' ployed by turning in well-known manner to increase or to lessen the tension of spring I56 and thereby obtain the proper balance for the adjustmentofthereel II. i I I i Means generally designatedas I62, Figs. 1 and 3, for adjustingthe heightof-reel II comprises a pair of plates I64 and I66 spaced apart a suitable distance and welded orotherwise secured to member I1, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. A pair adjustment is i made by turning of plates I68 and I10 depend from tubular shaft- 10 and are secured to the latterby the provision of holes which receive thetubular. shaft 10. Lever plates I68 and I10 are secured to shaft 10 by weldin or other suitable means in spaced position, as shown in Fig. 4.

An adjusting screw I12 is positioned with the axis thereof substantially horizontal and which axis extends fore-and-aft between plates I64 and IE and also between plates I68 and 110.

A swivel nut member I14 is-trunnionedintermediate plates I68 andflll on trunnionslltland I18 and is freeto rotate about the -axis of the trunnions, as showntin 4. Holes are provided in trunnionsljfi andJ'lB- and. cotter. pins I 80 and IE2 are inserted so asto prevent inadvertent displacement of the nut I14. A grease fitting I84 is placed on nut I14 to provide means to lubricate screw I12-so as to run freely in the nut. Screw I12 is provided with sufficient thread so that the extreme limits of "eel reight adjustment may be obtained.

The forwardly extending portion of s c N [I is supported between plates "E64'and items.

manner similar tothat-- employed between 3 plates I68 and no. A swivel block 186 is trunnioned between plates I64 and I66, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 on trunnions I 88 and I90. The purpose of block I06 is to provide support for the forward end of screw I12 and it is provided with a hole serving as a bearing for screw I12. In order to resist thrust in a forward direction a washer I92 is placed in contact with block I86 and a second washer or collar I94 is welded or otherwise fixed on screw I12 and in contact with washer I92. A lubricating fitting I96 provides means to lubri cate the screw where it rotates in block I86.

Screw I12 extends forwardly from the block I92 and is provided with a plurality of washers I98 to serve as thrust washers. A universal joint 200 is secured to screw I12, as shown in Fig. 3 by a rivet or bolt 202. Universal joint 200 is of the conventional sectional type ordinarily used on farm machinery and need not be further described. Thepurpose of universal joint 200 will be made clear as the description progresses.

A pipe or extension member 204 is secured to a member 206 constituting ."partof universal joint 200 by a rivet or bolt 201 and extends forwardly and adjacent to adjusting lever 30, as shown in Fig. 1. Pipe member 294 is supported at the forward end thereof by a bracket 269 which extends preferably substantiallynorrnal to a lever? mem her 268. fixed to lever 30' and provides a bearing for the pipe .264. Pipe 204 is spaced from member 268 a sufficient distance so that a crank.2l4 formed thereon will not interferewith lever member 268. Bracket 209 provides the journal for pipe 204 and is-secured to lever member 268 by Welding or other suitable means of fastening.

A collar 250 isfitted over pipe .204 and is positioned. forwardly of bracket 209. CA set screw 252 is fitted into a threaded hole in collar 2I0, as shown in Fig; '3. AJhOlB of slightly larger diameter than screw 21?. is provided in pipe 266 and set screwy2l2 is allowed to. reach through this hole: Thus thecollar 2? is retained against displacement on pipe 294. An extensible crank handle 21'4 is provided which has a shank. 2E5 slidable within pipe 264 and of a length to allow extension thereof to a point convenient to the operator. When the desired position hasbeen obtained, the setting is secured by tightening the set screw ZI2. When screw 2I2 has been ti htencd turning of handle 2 I4 will turn 'pipe294 and the various members attached thereto and previously described. A knob 2I8 is1attached to the end of handle 2M and is adapted to swivelso as to allow convenient manipulation 'of'the handle 2". l 4 from the tractor seat. i

Fig. 11 shows a modification of the arrangement shown in Fig.3. An adjusting screw 2I8 corresponding to above-mentioned screw I12 is threaded at the forward end and cooperates with anut 220 which is swivelly mounted between plates I64 and I 66. The other end. of screw H8 is journaled in a block 222 which is swiveled 6 between plates I68 and I10 in almanner similar to that shown in Fig. -3. .Lubricating*fittings 224 and 226 serve to lubricate nut 220 and block 222, respectively; I a V Forwardly threaded portionrof. screw H9 is reduced. in diametento. accommodate the hereinbefore described universal joint 200 which is suitably fixed to the .screw 2 l 8..

.A collar 228xlSwfiX8C1qt0 the rearward portion of screw-2H3 to prevent forwardaxialdisplacement 'in' block. 222;.A washer 230 or collar is welded orrotherwise-secured *toithe screwZ-IB on the other side ofi'blcck. 222. Therefore axial movement of screw 2I8 in either direction compels a corresponding movement of the lever plates I68 and I10.

When reel adjustments are being made on an implement having this modification, the pipe 204 will be moved forwardly or backwardly with the screw 2I8.

It will be clear that the incorporation of this invention in a harvester of the type described enables the operator toadjust the height of the reel II relative to the apron 20, and to adjust the height of the apron 20 relative to the ground without disturbing the former adjustment. The above-mentioned adjustment can be made by the operator without the necessity of his leaving the tractor seat.

The above being a complete description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, what 7 is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a harvester having a transport frame, a header frame pivoted thereon, in combination, means to mount a reel on said header frame for unvarying movement with said header frame when the latter is adjusted comprising, a rockable shaft on said header frame having reel support arms secured thereto and a reel supported on said arms, a lever member extending .forwardly and rigidly secured to said header frame, means on said transport frame to adjustably support said lever member and provide adjustment for said header relative to the ground, a depending lever secured tosaid rockable shaft, a bracket secured to said header frame forwardly of said depending lever, a threaded adjusting member, a bearing member on said bracket to support said adjusting member, a nut swivelly attached to said depending lever and engaging .said adjusting member, means to limit said adjusting member against axial displacement relative to said bearing member and manual operating crank means universally connected to said adjusting member and extending forwardly substantially parallel to and intimately adjacent said lever member and within reach of the tractor operator, said lever member and said manual operating means connected together for unitary vertical movement in fixed relation.

2. In a harvester having a transport frame, a header frame pivoted thereon, in combination, means to support a reel for unvarying relationship between said header frame and said reel during adjusting of the header frame comprising, a rockable shaft on said header frame, a lever member extending forwardly and secured to said header frame, means on said transport frame to adjustably support said lever member and provide adjustment for said header relative to said transport frame, a lever arm secured to said rookable shaft, a bracket secured to said header frame forwardly of said lever arm, a threaded adjusting member, a bearing member on said lever arm to support said adjusting memher, a nut swivelly attached to said bracket and co-acting with said adjusting member, means to limit said adjusting member against axial displacement relative to said depending lever and manual rotative operating means universally connected to said adjusting member and extending forwardly substantially parallel with and intimately related to said lever member and within reach of the tractor operator, said lever member and said manual operating means connected together in substantially fixed relation for unitary vertical movement.

3.. In a harvester having a transport frame, a header frame pivoted thereon, in combination, means to support a reel on said header frame for unvarying relationship between said header frame and said reel during adjustment of the header comprising, a rockable shaft on said header frame, a forwardly extending lever member secured to said header frame, means on said transport frame to support said lever member and provide adjustment for said header relative to said transport frame, a lever arm secured to said rockable shaft, a bracket secured to said header frame and spaced from said lever arm, a threaded adjusting member, a bearing member on said bracket to support said adjusting member, :a nut attached to said lever arm and coacting with said adjusting member, manual operating means connected to said adjusting member and extending forwardly substantially parallelto said lever member and within reach of the tractor operator, and a bracket fixed to said lever member to support said manual operating means in intimate fixed relation for unitary vertical movement of said lever member and said operating means when said header is adjusted.

4. In a harvester having a transport frame, a header frame pivoted thereon, in combination, means to support a reel on said header frame for unvarying relationship between said header frame and said reel during adjustment of the header frame, comprising, and a rockable shaft on said header frame, a lever member extending forwardly and secured to said header frame, means on said transport frame to support said lever member and provide adjustment for said header relative to said transport frame, a lever arm secured to said rockable shaft, a bracket secured to said header frame, and spaced from said lever arm, an adjusting means to provide adjustment between said lever arm and. said bracket, manual operating means connected to said adjusting member and extending forwardly substantially parallel to said lever member and within reach of the tractor operator, said lever member and said manual operating means connected together for fixed unitary vertical movement, and in a closely adjacent relationship References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date 583,749 Hertel June 1, 1897 1,024,941 Lambert Apr. 30, 1912 2,226,563 Keith Dec131, 1940 2,354,987 Fawkes Aug. 1, 1944 2,395,672 Kranick et a1. Feb. 26, 1946 

